Hort News 7 November 2023 by Rural News Group

HORTNEWS NOVEMBER 2023, ISSUE 39

Awardwinning growers keep on adapting and improving – Page 9 ISSN 2624-3490 (print) ISSN 2624-3504 (online)

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Call for RSE action!

Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND Apples and Pears wants the new government to urgently deal with the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme. Apple and Pears chief executive Karen Morrish wants changes to the scheme that would deliver phenomenal benefits. She told Hort News that

“What we want is certainty around any changes, whether they are going to be rolled out quickly or phased in.”

GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE INTO HORT MORRISH BELIEVES there needs to be a perception change about the nature of work available in the apple and pear sector. She says while some of the work is physical, it’s not just all about picking apples. “There is a lot of technology on the orchards and especially in the packhouses where there is a huge amount of automation and technology,” Morrish told Hort News. “In these areas, we are looking for a different

type of Kiwi with good technology skills. If you take the grading machines in the packhouses, they are taking 140 separate images of every apple to look for defects and grade for size.” Morrish believes part of the problem of not attracting young people to the sector is the way that horticulture is articulated in schools and to parents. She says if young people want a career in technology, the pipfruit industry is the place to go.

these could be implemented in the first 100 days of National gaining the Treasury benches. Morrish is preparing a briefing paper for the incoming minister setting out some of the key issues in her sector that could benefit from government input. Morrish says the industry should be proud of the RSE scheme. She adds that it works well but after 15 years it’s time to make improvements. She believes that a government review of the scheme is needed and would be welcomed. “The scheme is crucial to the industry, to the Pacific and our regional fruitgrowing centres,” Morrish explains. “But it is currently out of balance. One of the main concerns that growers have is that for three years they have not been able to increase costs related to accommodation and utilities – even though these costs have been rising.” Morrish told Hort News that there

has been a freeze in many areas of the scheme for the last few years and changes need to happen to ensure a more equitable system for everyone involved. She says in the leadup to the election, the review process seemed to have stalled and she’d like this speeded up and completed as soon as possible. “What we want is certainty around any changes, whether they are going to be rolled out quickly or phased in. This lack of clarity creates uncertainty for growers and our Pacific partners.”

SOUTHERN SPEARS! Leaderbrand South Island manager Mike Arnold is pictured with the first of the last asparagus to be grown in NZ that will be hitting the market soon. The cool nights and warm days of the Canterbury plains, near the township of Chertsey, is the site of Leaderbrand’s large asparagus growing operation. The company has been growing asparagus in the South Island for more than 10 years. Most of the asparagus we see in supermarkets is grown in the North Island, but 25% is grown in the South Island. – More page 3

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

$15 million project to drive for sustainable NZ pipfruit production Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND Apples and Pears is working on a near $15 million project to achieve the industry’s goal of being a global leader in sustainable production practices. The project is funded 50-50 by Apples and Pears and the Government through the MPI sustainable food and fibre futures fund (SFF futures). MPI claims the SFF programme is designed to protect NZ’s high value market share and future growth prospects. New Zealand Apples and Pears research and development manager Rachel Kilmister says NZ exports fruit to 80 markets worldwide, all of whom have different rules, and the aim is to be able to meet all these requirements. “We are recognised globally as world leaders in producing safe and sustainable food, but we want to continue to be innovative and to improve on how we do that,” Kilmister told Hort News. “There are more and more challenges coming from offshore around growing more sustainably, in terms of meeting climate change challenges, so we are constantly trying to demonstrate how we are doing that.” Kilmister says there is a challenge in meeting overseas chemical

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ONE AREA Apples and Pears are working on is biological controls within orchards. This involves ensuring there is a ready supply of ‘good’ bugs that will eat the bad ones and minimise pests and disease. “Things we are doing now, aimed at reducing the sprays, is what we call mating disruption,” Kilmister explains. “This is where we put sex pheromones into an orchard and release a plume that saturates the orchard. This confuses the male and female insects and they can’t find each other and therefore mate – so that stops the breeding lifecycle.” Kilmister told Hort News that the role of Apples and Pears in the programme is mainly project management. The actual trial work is done on contract by others including Plant and Food Research and in some cases done on commercial orchards. She says research orchards are used when trialling products that are not yet registered and therefore could impact on a commercial crop. But she adds that some work is done on commercial orchards as part of the technology transfer element in the programme. Kilmister adds that they work with ‘early adopters’ and once the trial is complete and proven, Apples and Pears then takes on the role of running extension programmes to encourage other growers to use the new technologies. NZ’s Apple and Pear exports are expected to be worth more than $1 billion by 2030.

requirements while, at the same time, meeting phytosanitary requirements to keep export fruit free from pests and diseases that will run afoul of importing countries’ biosecurity regulations. “It’s about how we can reduce the amount of agrichemicals we spray,

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how we can be more sustainable and thinking about what are the tools and technologies that we can use to improve things so that we are not so reliant on agrichemicals.” “For example, it’s about breeding new varieties of apples that are more pest and disease

NZ Apples and Pears’ Rachel Kilmister says NZ exports fruit to 80 markets around the globe with all having different regulations and the aim of the project is to be able to meet all these requirements.

resistant and looking at new technologies to ensure spraying is more targeted, as well as looking for products that are potentially residue free.”

Kilmister says the aim is to reduce reliance on ag chemicals, while at the same time achieving the same outcomes. One of the problems NZ faces,

she says, is that some of the sprays that are more efficient are simply not available in NZ. Kilmister says this is because our market is so

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

Climate change no. 1 issue! past, labour and costs have been rated ahead of it. “But at this conference, climate change was seen as the biggest challenge the global industry is facing and is now top of the list.” Bond says every kiwifruit growing region around the world has experienced extreme weather events in the last growing season. He says for NZ it was Cyclone Gabrielle and for others it was extreme heat waves or flooding. “Growers around the globe are all starting to see the impacts of climate change,” he explains. “The differences may

Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

FOR KIWIFRUIT growers globally, climate change is the number one issue. That’s the view of Colin Bond, chief executive of NZKGI – which represents all of NZ’s kiwifruit growers’ interests. He has recently returned from Chile, having attended the annual international conference of kiwifruit growers from most of the world’s major kiwifruit growing countries. Bond told Hort News that while climate change has always been a concern for growers, in the

NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond says climate change is the number one issue for the world’s kiwifruit growers.

be in Greece where they are starting to expand more, and the Chileans are saying that every ten years, they are moving to locations 100km south, to areas that are cooler and where there is more access to water.” Bond says NZ is not at the point of moving crops to colder regions and the Bay of Plenty will remain the hub of the sector. However, he adds that SunGold 3 can be grown in a lot of regions around NZ. With the last two warmer winters in the Bay, some people are looking to the Waikato and Tasman regions, which are colder.

Southern spears a tasty treat! THE FIRST of the last asparagus to be grown in NZ will be coming on the market soon. The cool nights and warm days of the Canterbury plains, near the township of Chertsey, is the site of a large asparagus growing operation by one of the country’s largest vegetable growers – Leaderbrand. The company, whose head office is in Gisborne, has been growing asparagus in the South Island for more than 10 years. Most of the asparagus we see in supermarkets is grown in the North Island, but the 25% grown in the South Island is pretty special, according to Leaderbrand manager Mike Arnold. He says the idea of growing the tasty seasonal vegetables came when a local asparagus breeder – with the help of plant scientists – developed a variety that suited the local climate. Arnold says the deep sandy soils provide a perfect conduit for the plants – combined with less rainfall and long, hot, dry summers – making for perfect growing conditions. “This adds to the flavour of the spears. Cool nights and snow, which is on the mountains right now, brings out the flavour and increases the brix

Leaderbrand manager Mike Arnold says the 25% of the country’s asparagus that is grown in the South Island is pretty special.

or sugar levels,” he told Hort News. “So, a nice, sweet-tasting flavour is what we have here. While there is no absolute proof, in my opinion, the alpine asparagus we produce is the pick of the bunch.”

The first asparagus on the market is from the North Island and it comes on the market in September, while those in South Island are harvested in October and through to Christmas. This means that Leaderbrand has product

available for four months. While most of the asparagus grown in the South Island is sold there, it also provides product for the North Island as the season extends into December. Growing asparagus is akin to estab-

lishing an apple or kiwifruit orchard, Arnold explains. He points out it takes three years to get the first small crop, but if the crop is carefully maintained – and not picked too hard at any time – it can produce for between 15 and 20 years. Arnold says the key things they look for in a crop is the colour, flavour, disease resistance and the field holding capacity of the plants Harvesting the crop is different to most others as the green spears appear almost overnight – sometimes growing 17cm in a day. Leaderbrand employ 35 RSE workers from Vanuatu to pick the crop and about another 30 locals to manage this and the packhouse operation. Overall, there are about 10 permanent staff at the site, which also produces courgettes as well as processed peas, barley and seed crops. The latter are used as rotational crops. Arnold has been involved in the asparagus growing operation for the past 10 years and is proud of the crop they produce. He says asparagus is an extremely versatile vegetable, goes with any meal and is easy to prepare. – Peter Burke

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

Kiwifruit bouncing back?

a sprint and NZKGI will be closely monitoring badly affected growers to ensure they are properly supported throughout their long recovery. He is worried there is a risk their plight will disappear from the notice of the media and adds that NZKGI will do all it can to make the public aware of the plight of some people. “NZKGI will be watching the situation and delivering to the needs of affected growers or bringing in other experts to talk to them,” Bond adds. He says most growers are cautiously optimistic about the coming season and the spring is looking positive. There is also hope that El Nino will have a positive impact on the growing season. Bond believes the issue will be having the right access to water to balance any drought impact.

Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THERE ARE encouraging signs and hopes that this season’s kiwifruit crop will be a good one. NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond says it’s still early days, with bud burst starting, but things are looking positive without being exceptional. “But again, remember, it’s early days yet,” he told Hort News. Bond says Hawke’s Bay was the kiwifruit area most impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, and people need to appreciate how long it’s going to take for some growers in that region to get back on their feet. He says in addition to the damage caused by silt, there remains concerns about vine roots saturated by the heavy rain. He

There are encouraging signs that this season’s kiwifruit crop will be a good one.

reckons it’ll be a couple of months – maybe longer – before growers know

the health status of their vines. “It’s still a bit of an open question on how the

plants will survive in the coming months.” Bond says it may take

during that time they will need support. He says it is a marathon and not

years for some growers to fully recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and

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HORTNEWS NOVEMB ER 2021 , ISSUE

Bumper cherry cro p predicted – Page 7

Sweet res ult for ho rt! 19

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ISSN 2624ISSN 2624- 3490 (print) 3504 (onlin e)

Sudesh Kis sun

sudeshk@

ruralnew s.co.

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GETTING READY!

MANGAW EKA ASP ARAGUS Sam Rain manager ey overse es an 80 asparagus hectare in the cen tral North When Hor Island. t News visi ted the pro in late Sep perty tember, Rainey and were in the his staff final stag es of pre for the har paring vest. The packhouse being set was up and at the sam first spe e time the ars of asp aragus wer to appear e starting . While the total size property of the is 80 hec tares, the just 65 hec y will pick tares this season – equates which to up to 250 tonnes. See story pages 4 and 5.

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

Cherry crop expected earlier than usual Nigel Malthus

LABOUR SHORTAGE OVER?

THIS YEAR’S Central Otago cherry picking season looks like being about a week earlier than usual. Tim Jones, chief executive of Cromwell-based cherry orchardists 45 South, told Hort News – near the end of October –the fruit is at chuck fall stage with small green fruit appearing. He says that a warm spell in July “kicked things off and then it’s just been slightly warmer all the way through”. Jones added that there had been some quite unsettled weather over spring with a lot of wind, a bit more rain than normal over bloom, and the odd frost – but also some nice warm weather for pollination. “At the moment it’s a little bit unknown but it looks like it’s okay.” Expecting 2200 tons of fruit this year, 45 South is primarily exporting but with “a strong relationship” with Foodstuffs for its pre-Christmas trade. Jones says they normally start picking around the December 10 to 15 but are expecting to start around December 5 at this stage. Central Otago Fruitgrowers Association chair Kris Robb says it was early days but everyone is through flowering and pollination.

Tim Jones says they usually start picking cherries in mid-to-late December, but this year expect to begin in early December.

“The early fruit is set now and I think the general consensus around the

T&G OPENS NEW SITE Leo Argent

NEW ZEALAND’S largest grower and distributor of fresh produce, T&G Fresh, recently opened the doors to its new fresh produce market in Mt Wellington. Formerly a distribution centre, the new facility has had extensive improvements to enhance functionality, such as refrigeration

plant and coolstore spaces and new canopies. There has also been improved vehicle access for consumers and staff, as well as purpose-built heavy vehicle access for efficient delivery of produce and collection of orders. T&G Fresh managing director Rod Gibson says the facility is fully insulated to provide an improved refrigerated supply chain, helping to retain

area is there is a bit of optimism now about the crop,” he told Hort News. Robb is general manager at Clyde Orchards, Earnscleugh, which is unique in having a large cherry orchard under cover in plastic-covered green houses. The Canadian-sourced Cravo brand greenhouses, normally used for annuals like vegetables and berries, feature retractable roofs for

the quality and freshness of the produce so it reaches customers and consumers at its best. The Auckland market will be an important component of T&G’s business moving forward, with the market floor to form the centre of the new site showcasing fresh produce from growers across New Zealand and around the world and a new commercial kitchen to cater for industry and

THE SEASONAL labour shortages of the Covid years look to be over, judging by the interest expressed to 45 South. Jones says the orchard employs about 550 people but has had over 7000 people apply. He says there had been a great response both from young Kiwis of school and university age, as well as from holiday backpackers. “There looks to be a really good volume of those guys in the country,” he told Hort News. “At this stage there is no shortage. Of course, they’ve all got to turn up but we’re feeling a lot more comfortable than we have for the last few years.” Meanwhile, the Central Otago District Council has for the second year re-launched an initiative aimed at attracting seasonal workers into the district. Aimed chiefly at both horticulture and tourism, the “Central Mahi” scheme invites prospective employers to “sell” themselves by way of short promotional videos hosted on the council website. “We are hoping for a high level of engagement again this year,” CODC Economic Development Manager Nick Lanham says. “Last year’s campaign had over 5000 people engage with it online, in addition to those in person on campuses and job expos in the lower South Island.” Lanham told Hort News that about 18 employers took part last year and around 15 had already signed up this year. “The last two years through Covid have been extremely tough for employers and really hard to find staff, especially for seasonal work. That is improving now that the borders are open.”

greater control over climate and watering. Robb says getting the best out of the system has been a learning curve but they are expecting to start picking about four weeks earlier than outdoor cherries. He adds that fruit

public events. “At T&G Fresh our domestic business keeps the flow of fresh produce going, with produce grown with care by our network of growers out to our 11 markets around New Zealand. “As well as being growers ourselves, the independent growers we work with include some of the country’s largest orchards as well as local market gardeners.

quality is also markedly improved with a pack-out rate of up to 90% fruit suitable for export. That compares with about 65% for conventional outdoor cherries. “Our pack-out profiles are lifting, with minimal waste.”

“Retaining freshness and quality is critical, and the new facility will enhance our ability to do this.” The move is the final part of T&G’s transition out of its former Monahan Road and Clemow Drive site in Auckland, a process that began several years ago, with the T&G Global corporate office team moving to the Central Park business zone in Ellerslie at the end of 2022.

HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

A Taylor-made winner! Sudesh Kissun sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

A COMBINATION of onfarm skills and hometown advantage got Taylor Leabourn over the line at the 2023 Young Grower national title in Pukekohe, last month. Leabourn, 28, says it was a noticeable step up from the regional competitions held earlier in the year and he appreciated being able to compete for the national title in his home region. “It was so nice to be on my home turf, there were a lot of familiar faces, and it was pretty special for it to be in Pukekohe.” When Leabourn won the Pukekohe regional competition in May, he was working as an agronomist at Leaderbrand. Two months ago, he started a new job as a produce lead for fruit importer SKU Ltd in Wiri. “It’s been great to learn a new skill set and to test myself,” he told Hort News. “I’m really enjoying it and it’s been refreshing looking at the coolstore/ warehouse/packhouse side of the horticulture business.” Leabourn was one of six young people who competed in a series of practical and theoretical horticulture modules across two days. The competition encourages young people to take up a career in horticulture as well as celebrating their success in the industry. The competition tested their vegetable and fruit-growing

an amazing job. It’s a real recognition of how

knowledge, along with the skills needed to be successful growers. Competitors completed practical tests in nutrition and fertigation, tractor operation, integrated pest management, keeping everyone healthy and safe, agrichemical stewardship, and horticulture biosecurity. They also did two business activities – innovation and a leadership panel – as well as a speech. Leabourn won the innovation, business, practical, and young vegetable grower categories, before taking out the national title. “We were given lapel mics which gave you the freedom to own the stage,” he explains. “Everyone’s speech was amazing; the whole contingent of us did

great the other five contestants were. Such strong competitors and it was a nice group of guys and girls.” He makes a special mention of Jan Buter, who was runner-up and who also won outstanding leadership, speech and young fruit grower of the year. “Jan was great, and I really thought he was going to win. He was so confident and knowledgeable about the industry.” Horticulture New Zealand

(HortNZ) president, Barry O’Neil, says the organisation takes great pride in hosting the final in different parts of the country every year and appreciates the support

received from local growers. He says each of the six young leaders worked hard to get to the national competition and blew the panel away with their speeches on Thursday night. “Four out of six speeches focused on the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan outcome area of Nurture People,” O’Neil adds. “I encourage you to consider how you can contribute to this outcome area of the action plan to attract, retain, and grow great people in horticulture.” HortNZ general manager of strategy and policy Michelle Sands says it is important to highlight the work of regional organisers who host and run the competitions across six regions. “Their dedication is what drives this fantastic industry-wide programme, and our young growers wouldn’t have made it to this national stage without them,” she told Hort News. “It is important for us all to support the next generation of horticulture industry leaders. We are so fortunate to have so many passionate and talented young leaders pursuing careers in our industry.”

Taylor Leabourn, produce lead for fruit importer SKU Ltd in Wiri, took out the 2023 Young Grower of the Year title.

SKILLS TESTED FOR THE Pukekohe regional competition in May this year, Leabourn was up against seven other competitors. Competitors were tested on their vegetable and fruit-growing knowledge skills, along with the abilities needed to be successful growers. They completed modules in marketing, compliance, pest

and disease identification, safe tractor driving, finance, soil and fertilisers, irrigation and quality control. Leabourn came into the competition wanting to learn more and enjoy the day, while seeing where his skill set was. “It came as quite a nice surprise,” he told Hort News. “We had a really good number

of contestants this year. A really diverse group with a mixture of outdoor vegetables, glasshouse, and fruit experience – a really good group of people. We had a lot of fun.” Despite feeling unsure about his performance in the finance module, Taylor also took the best theory and best business awards. “The finance was a bit

daunting for me having only done it very briefly in my first year at university,” he says. “Marketing is a whole different world for me, I’ve never done anything similar to that. I put a lot of work into the marketing in particular so I was pretty happy to get that result.” For the marketing module, Taylor designed a seasonal advent calendar for growing

vegetables aimed at primary school teachers and pupils, making it easier to grow crops at schools. “My product was just to streamline that. If they had the garden, I could supply virtually everything: the seed, fertiliser, how to grow, when to harvest it and basically all you need to know about growing.”

THANK YOU

We would like to thank all our partners and sponsors who have helped make the 2023 Young Horticulturist Competition a great success. OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF THE 2023 YOUNG HORTICULTURIST COMPETITION

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The competition is managed by the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture Education Trust

Congratulations to our 2023 finalists

HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

Soil spud farmer’s friend Sudesh Kissun sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

LIKE MOST vegetables, potatoes need healthy cropping soils. In Tasmania, potato growers are turning to cover crops as important tools for improving soil structure and health, controlling soil borne disease and weeds, reducing erosion and nutrient loss, and adding nitrogen. At the recent Potatoes New Zealand conference, Tasmanian potato grower Darren Long spoke about how cover cropping and biofumigation – which is the use of specialised cover crops that are grown, mulched, and incorporated into the soil prior to cropping – have helped him maintain profitable and sustainable farms for the past 20 years.

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Sheffield, which supplies Australian supermarket chain Coles with fresh potatoes year-round. He believes soils are the most valuable and important asset a farmer has. “If our tractor breaks down, you can buy a new one tomorrow,” he says. “If our soils break down, it’s a 10-to-12-year process to get it back. So, we are trying to get the best outcome for soils.” Long’s cover crop investigation began in the 1990s when he heard how Western Australian growers were using brassica crops to control potatorelated diseases. He tried to replicate what the Western Australians were doing but had little success in the early years. Long found that the plants weren’t con-

Tasmanian grower Darren Long speaking at this year’s at PNZ Conference in Christchurch.

trolling the disease. But there were other benefits, located deeper into the soil. “What we were finding was that we were getting really good soil health with free-draining organic matter, which went in our favour,” he explained. “We were using less water, less fertiliser, and eventually we cracked the

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invested almost 15 years of trial and error into cover cropping, having worked closely with other organisations to get to the stage we are at now so that as a whole industry we can share the benefits.” He added that the biggest learning curve that growers are getting out of the project’s research is what’s available and what’s beneficial to the soil. How it works and the different types of root systems – as well as the exposure to all of these new cover crops taking out the guesswork. “We can access material where the research tells us the companion plants that work well, which means we don’t have to guess what will or won’t work.”

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code that it wasn’t the plants that were providing the disease control, it was the soils. We were finding a healthier soil that is able to tolerate these diseases.” Long believes the advancements made in cover cropping have been the single most important change to farming he’s seen in 30 years.

“It’s an absolute gamechanger,” he says. “Growers need a full suite of approaches, while there will always be a need for traditional methods, this new research gives growers the ability to improve on-farm productivity and sustainability.” Long says the aim is to be farming smarter and using cover crops to improve the overall health of his soils and the soil structure. “There is a strong focus on how cover crops are grown and incorporated into the soil using a variety of low impact machinery with minimal passes. The reduction in chemical use isn’t necessarily the main point but is a bonus of cover cropping done right,” he explained. “Personally, I’ve

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

Award-winning growers keep on adapting and improving Glenys Christian

SOUTH AUCKLAND kiwifruit grower, Brett Wheeler, jokes that some of the companion plants in his 13-hectare effective Glenbrook orchards are so large he has to take to them with a chainsaw. But it’s all part of improving soil health and biology, which has seen him and wife Fenella’s BFG Kiwi take out the supreme title in the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards this year. At a field day at the end of September, Wheeler talked about changes on 8.3ha they bought in 2015. It was growing avocados, but they set about removing most of them to plant 2.6ha of Gold kiwifruit then more recently 2ha of Red. While the Wheelers don’t run an organic production system, they choose not to weed spray. No cultivation takes place after picking, which

South Auckland kiwifruit growers Brett and Fenella Wheeler took out the supreme title in the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards this year.

allows soil life to break down prunings left on the ground between the rows. Then after aeration oats

are drilled which Brett says are the deepest rooting annuals, he could find from trials he’s run over

A TAILORED APPROACH

Both of the Wheelers’ orchards are fully mapped so a tailored approach can be taken to each plant’s age, stage of growth and variety. There are seven different sections to the orchards, with each having its own water meter and irrigation system controlled and monitored through a mobile app. Drippers have only been

placed in every second row in the new orchard with water use able to be cut back because the ground cover means less sun getting to the soil so less evapotranspiration. From harvest to flowering humic and folic acid are applied as well as molasses, fish concentrate, seaweed and sea water. This year, the Gold crop – in

10 years on their home orchard further west on the Manukau Harbour. Tama ryegrass is also

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While the Wheelers don’t run an organic production system, they choose not to weed spray.

used with both crops singed by the application of Hi Cane he carries out himself. But these quickly

its third year – was picked early in the season and produced 13,500 trays/ha. This was well up on Punchbowl’s average of 10,500. The Red part of the orchard produced its first crop of 5000 trays. However, it was more affected by Cyclone Gabrielle with some 40-year-old Hayward rootstock which had been grafted over being wiped out.

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bounce back and are allowed to seed so there’ll be some regeneration for the next season.

“The water was knee deep for a week, so a lot of new drainage has gone in.” The orchard is all hail netted with flashing tape hung beneath it to keep any birds out. Landmarks are also placed above the canopy so pollinating bees can orient themselves more rapidly to get on with the job at hand. To cut back on the pollen

Before pickers supplied by local packhouse, Punchbowl, arrive Brett uses a roller to knock the grass down for around a week while harvest is carried out. They soil test once a year, with trials on their home orchard carried out over the last three years showing a big increase in soil organisms. “There used to be no worms but now I can’t count them, there’s that many,” Wheeler told Hort News. They also regularly leaf test in order to adjust fertigation.

required they’re in the process of building up their own orchard of male plants using the M36 and M43 varieties. Future plans also include removing more avocados and riparian planting along their 20-metre cliff face boundary. Although not a dairy farmer Brett says he now wants to start replacing his herd – “some are getting a bit tired”.

10 HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

Weed robot launched in US Mark Daniel markd@ruralnews.co.nz

AT THE recent Agricultural Robotics Forum in California, Palmerston North-based agritech company SeedSpider has launched its AI-augmented robotic weeder WeedSpider into the North American market. With research showing that demand for food is set to increase by 70% in the next 30 years – due to population growth – agronomic solutions using robotics that are able to work 24 hoursa-day without requiring any manual labour will be more cost-effective than traditional methods. WeedSpider’s technology can identify and eliminate weeds in a variety of crops, providing a solution to the severe labour shortage problems facing many commercial vegetable growers. The technol-

Don Sandbrook pictured with the WeedSpider machine, which was recently introduced into North America.

ing technology, which is used to plant around 80% of salad greens and baby carrots in the US market. “With a customer base focused on improving productivity, it was an obvious step for us to expand from seeding to weeding,” he told Hort

ogy also helps reduce the reliance on weed sprays, making growing more sustainable and healthier for consumers. SeedSpider founder Don Sandbrook says its North American customers already know and trust the company’s seed-

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News. “Our fully autonomous weeding robot offers growers the ability to increase yields and reduce costs. We are confident that this revolutionary technology will change the way we farm and provide much-needed relief to

the industry.” Sandbrook says with global demand for food increasing yearon-year, innovative solutions like the Weed and SeedSpider are needed to increase food production, without impacting the health of the planet. The company’s devel-

opment goes back to 1990, setting out to help address the increasing challenges of the agricultural sector across the world and developing SeedSpider. Today, the business is taking that expertise to the world of weed management. Now

– after five years of development – it has produced an autonomous robot that traverses crop rows, while detecting and mechanically eliminating weeds. The technology is capable of monitoring and managing the entire weeding and thinning process for growers. This provides detailed insights into weed density, plant health and yield analysis through the life cycle of their crops. Sandbrook says the WeedSpider targets and removes weeds only – rather than indiscriminately hoeing everything – providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution. In order to drives sales for WeedSpider and provide after sales support, SeedSpider has set up a base in California where, along with Arizona, much of the food grown in the US is produced.

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

Tractor cabin’s air filtration upgrade improves safety Mark Daniel markd@ruralnews.co.nz

A RECENT upgrade of the cabin air filtration system on Landini Rex 4 tractors now offers Category 4 protection against spray contaminants. It also means the added convenience of an easy changeover between regular and carbon filters. Rex Series 4 tractors with the optional CAT4 cabin allows both types of filters installed at the same time, so operators can select either type at the flick of a switch. This solution is said to provide convenient access to the maximum level of

An upgrade of the cabin air filtration system on Landini Rex 4 tractors offers Category 4 protection against spray contaminants.

protection from potential contaminants while spraying. It also optimises the service life of the special carbon filter. “This is a pragmatic solution typical of the

innovative thinking that goes into Landini products by engineers at Argo Tractors,” says Gayne Carroll AGTEK – distributor for Argo Tractors in NZ. “It simplifies things for

the operator while also cutting filter replacement costs to a minimum.” The filtration system layout sees filter housings on each side of the cabin roof panel. This is com-

plemented by an airflow diverter inside the external air intake assembly located at the back of the roof panel. Incorporating a general-purpose filter in one side and a carbon filter in the other, allows operators to switch between the two as appropriate. With the cab pressurised to the level required to prevent ingress of contaminants through door or window seals, filter status information is displayed on the tractor’s instrument cluster. The information displayed includes the carbon filter’s status, airflow speed and cabin pressure. “This filter arrange-

ment is clearly more convenient than having to physically change one filter for another,” Carroll adds. “This convenience means operators are more likely to take advantage of the higher-level protection provided by carbon filtration.” He also points out that, with single element filtration systems, once the carbon filter has been installed for spraying, it tends to stay there when the tractor is being used for non-spraying work and continues to degrade. With the Landini system, the carbon filter needs only be ‘active’ when required. The Landini Rex Series

CROP CARE BUSINESS EXPANDS FIVE YEARS ago, agricultural machinery specialist Lemken acquired the Dutch company Steketee B.V and expanded its crop care product portfolio with implements for mechanical weed control and future-oriented camera-assisted machine guidance. The full integration of the crop care business will be completed during the coming months and all products will take come in the more familiar blue Lemken colour scheme. Increasing interest in mechanical weeding solutions has seen sales triple in recent years, necessitating a

move by the company to a new site to increase production capability. There is also the likelihood of the current workforce of 60 people doubling in the coming years. Recently, Lemken released details of its first weeder harrow to round off its range of mechanical weed control implements. The Thulit harrow is said to break new ground, with four beams and eight rows of harrow tines. Complex spring combinations are replaced by an innovative hydraulic tine pressure adjustment, ensuring

the tines deliver a more even pressure across the full working surface. The tine pressure can be continuously adjusted to up to five kilograms on the move, resulting in a precise job, particularly during the early/ sensitive crop growth stages. Tines are arranged with a spacing of 31.25mm to ensure blockagefree work, using stable, true-to-track, wear-free tine bearings to ensure optimum weed removal. A straightforward quickchange system makes it easy to replace harrow tines.

The Thulit features precise and continuous ground contour. Following with consistent tine pressure, making it a versatile implement – even on uneven ground and operating in ridge grown crops. Generous clearance height and smart design removes the need for the usual springs and the chances of plants getting caught beneath the frame. The hydraulic system also supports width control within the frame sections to avoid multiple passes across parts of the field.

4 tractors are available in several width and wheelbase configurations, with six power outputs from 80-120hp. The ‘F’ and ‘GT’ versions are also suited to yard and light field work on livestock farms – especially where limited space or accessibility excludes larger tractors of similar power. Options include a newly-introduced front axle suspension system, transmission options including two or threespeed powershift and Roboshift, four-speed pto, as well as a cabin with a flat floor. www.agtek.co.nz @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

A key part of the design brief was to minimise frame weight and has been achieved by reducing the number of moving parts, allowing Thulit to be operated on smaller tractors with lower lifting capacities. A further benefit of the reduced componentry is that the driver also has a clear view of the harrow tines allowing a better oversight of the final work results. The Thulit harrow will initially be available in early 2024 in limited quantities with working widths of six and nine metres. – Mark Daniel

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12 HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2023

User friendly new generation potato harvesters Mark Daniel markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE LATEST generation of the GRIMME’s EVO 280 potato harvester is equipped with an integral hydraulic drive-system, alongside updates for ease of maintenance and userfriendliness. Well known for its high separation performance, enormous throughput and gentle crop handling, the company has addressed the need to harvest sensitive potato varieties at low speeds as well as high yielding varieties. GRIMME’s latest machine’s new, completely hydraulic drivesystem – including the optionally available intake web, as well as the separators – can be adjusted independently of the engine speed (PTO speed) of the tractor. The speeds of all main webs – including the deviner web – are now displayed in km/h, making it easier for the driver to adjust the web to the selected harvesting speed. The speeds of the second main web and de-viner web can also be set independently of each other with a differential speed of up to 30 %. If desired, electronic assistance systems – like Speedtronic-Web and Speedtronic-Sep – automatically regulate all web speeds depending on

GRIMME’s latest machine’s new hydraulic drivesystem can be adjusted independently of the engine speed (PTO speed) of the tractor.

the load. This allows the driver to concentrate on monitoring the machine, thanks to the impressive size of the SmartView display. This new display also helps reduce fatigue when working long days. Optimisation of the intake design ensures reduced weight, as well as improved contour adaptation, which helps prevent build-up and blockages caused by haulm. For improved protection against possible losses, the overlap between the first and

Optimisation of the intake design ensures reduced weight, as well as improved contour adaptation, which helps prevent build-up and blockages caused by haulm.

second main web, as well as between the second main web and the first separator, has been increased. Improved positioning of the de-viner web drive makes it possible to increase both the pulling

power and stability. In combination with the newly positioned scraper comb, tubers are separated from the haulm even more effectively. For maximum pushing power in difficult harvesting conditions, the new

generation harvester can also be equipped with a hydrostatic wheel drive. An 8 tonne bunker is fitted as standard. Alternatively, the machine can be equipped with the 7.5 tonne patented NonstopBunker with a very large transfer distance. This makes it easy to unload during the harvesting process, even on platform trailers with two rows of boxes. The optional bunker web with canvas and all-round padding on the bunker bars ensures

maximum crop protection. In addition, there is the optional lubrication system for the bunker chain, whereby oil is automatically applied to the chain links during the bunker unloading process. At the picking table, staff also benefit from a more attractive working environment thanks to extended comfort packages with additional cleaning spades, storage boxes, and an aluminium ladder and a re-designed canopy. The removal of

mechanical drive components also helps to improve accessibility for cleaning and maintenance work, which is aided by the central lubrication points. For those requiring exact crop data, GRIMME offers georeferenced mass (yield) mapping. Data can be accessed conveniently from home – via the myGRIMME portal – while an electronic link to the agrirouter makes for further transfer to all common farm management systems.